How Thanksgiving Began in the United States
Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, symbolizing gratitude, community, and the harvest season. The tradition traces back to 1621, when Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a three-day feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts, giving thanks for a successful harvest after a harsh winter. Though similar harvest festivals had been celebrated in Europe for centuries, this particular event is often considered the “First Thanksgiving” in American history.
In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, to be celebrated each November — a time to give thanks and bring the nation together.
Traditional American Foods
Thanksgiving dinner tables across the U.S. are filled with comforting, traditional foods that have become symbolic of the holiday. Roast turkey remains the centerpiece, often accompanied by stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole. Desserts are equally important — pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple pie are staples enjoyed after the meal. Many families also incorporate regional or cultural dishes, adding a personal touch to the feast.
Thanksgiving Around the World
While Thanksgiving is uniquely American, several other countries celebrate their own versions of giving thanks:
- Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, marking the end of the harvest season. Canadians enjoy turkey, stuffing, and autumn vegetables, much like in the U.S.
- Liberia, founded by freed American slaves, observes Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November, focusing on gratitude, music, and communal feasts.
- Grenada holds its Thanksgiving on October 25, commemorating the 1983 U.S. military intervention that restored peace.
- Germany’s Erntedankfest, or “Harvest Thanksgiving Festival,” takes place in September or October, featuring parades, church services, and feasts centered on local crops.
Whether in North America or beyond, Thanksgiving remains a time to reflect on abundance, unity, and gratitude.